One of the fringe benefits of being married to an ER doc in Seattle is that you get some insight into how people on the front lines are preparing for the coming storm.
#COVID19 #LifeInTheHotZone #coronavirus #seattlecoronavirus
#COVID19 #LifeInTheHotZone #coronavirus #seattlecoronavirus
On one hand, given the less then entirely convincing response from the other Washington, it's kind of heartening to hear about actual competent professionals building a realistic plans of action.
On the other hand, the plans are scary as ****.
On the other hand, the plans are scary as ****.
Nobody really knows how bad this is going to get.
While certainly hoping for the best, the people on the front lines are planning for Italy, the implications of which are quite terrifying.
While certainly hoping for the best, the people on the front lines are planning for Italy, the implications of which are quite terrifying.
If this gets bad, ERs expect to get slammed with #COVID19 cases. Throughput is likely to be reduced because infectious disease precautions and post patient decontamination procedures are incredibly time consuming.
Even so, hospital admissions are likely to accumulate quickly.
Even so, hospital admissions are likely to accumulate quickly.
Again, if this gets bad, as hospitals become resource constrained, crisis standards of care go into effect.
Doctors who might usually admit anyone with people unexplained chest pain, will be sending home people with likely cardiac events. If you aren't immediately dying....
Doctors who might usually admit anyone with people unexplained chest pain, will be sending home people with likely cardiac events. If you aren't immediately dying....
If the situation gets as bad as Italy, then we'll be in the realm of tough choices. When the number of people who need ventilators exceeds the number of ventilators someone has to miss out.
There is a setup to ensure that resources are allocated ethically and in a way the maximizes survival
Basically, the doctor treating you doesn't decide. They submit your anonymized characteristics, labs, etc. to people not directly involved in your case.
Basically, the doctor treating you doesn't decide. They submit your anonymized characteristics, labs, etc. to people not directly involved in your case.
Rationing decisions are complex. However, likelihood of survival is a big factor. Young, previously healthy patients are more likely to get a vent than the old, or those with comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, etc).
Probably no preference for medical professionals.
Probably no preference for medical professionals.
Doctors and nurses who are older, or who have what normally routine medical issues like diabetes, will be going to work knowing both that they will be at very high risk of exposure, and that they're less likely to get critical care if things get bad.
